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Imagine traveling thousands of miles to a completely different area as only a junior in high school and being faced with new people and a different language. It is something that could change someone’s life forever and is something Chiara Letizia Trempetter is all too familiar with.

Trempetter came to LCM this year to achieve a part of her high school education and learn the English language, all while experiencing the United States. She ventured to the States all the way from Cologne, Germany.

“Being a foreign exchange student is very exciting because every day you learn new things and words and meet new people,” Trempetter said. “It’s good.”

Trempetter said she plans on going back to Germany after this year but is considering staying in Orange to finish high school. So far, she appreciates and enjoys everything about the United States, even though she prefers Europe more than the U.S.

“My favorite part about being in the United States is how the people here are very friendly and everyone does what they want to do while no one cares,” Trempetter said. “I love the food here. It’s unhealthy but I like it, especially Taco Bell.”

There are quite a few hobbies that interest Trempetter, including singing and acting. She has a band and also plays musicals back in Germany.

“I love all types of music,” she said. “It just depends on my mood.”

Trempetter said there are many similarities and differences between school in the U.S. and Germany. She is in school the same amount of time as she would be in Germany. In Germany, though, she is in the same class for every subject, whereas in the U.S. she is in a different class for each subject. Another difference is Germany is very strict regarding education and no so much on dress code. Trempetter also said students in the U.S. have electives as a class for a full credit, but in Germany she was only able to take electives as an after-school activity.

“Something I miss about Germany is the trains and buses because you always need a car here and in Germany you can walk to your destination or take the bus,” Trempetter said.

Despite facing the struggle of finding and making new friends in the process of getting used to living in a different country, Trempetter said she plans on having a future in the United States because she has always dreamed of making a home here.

“I have always wanted to live here because you can see so many things,” Trempetter said. “I don’t know; everyone here says that they want to visit Europe but in Europe, everyone wants to visit the United States.”